Toddler burnt beyond recognition in Alex informal settlement fire

Two people, including a one-year-old baby girl, were killed in an informal settlement fire in Alexandra.

A 30-year-old man and a one-year-old girl were burnt beyond recognition in the blaze.

They died when about 20 shacks caught fire on 8th Avenue on Saturday.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage and investigations are underway.

Authorities have urged residents to be extra cautious.

“A one-year-old girl together with a 30-year-old man also lost their lives during the fire incident. They were burned beyond recognition. The cause of the fire incident at this stage is still the subject of investigations.”

Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi

Alexandra’s informal settlement cluster is prone to fires that spread quickly due to poor infrastructure and spatial planning.

In July, a fire ripped through a different section of the township near Wynberg police station where several dwellings were destroyed.

#AlexFire: More than 140 homes destroyed, number of displaced expected to rise